Noel Oettle, from Drynet Secretariat and Environmental Monitoring Group (South Africa) attended the 3rd Caux Dialogue on Land and Security in Caux, Switzerland between 10 and 14 July 2015 as a representative of the Drynet network. As in previous years, an international group of scientists, policy makers and practitioners gathered to explore the complexity, successes, opportunities and challenges of advancing human security in a resource-challenged world. 2015 Caux Dialogue showcased a wealth of perspectives and experiences from around the world, and drew attention to how a plethora of land-related issues are combining to make the societies of the planet less secure. Land degradation, resource exploitation, climate change, competition between expanding populations for shrinking resources…

It is our pleasure to announce the publication of the ‘Participatory Adaptation Handbook- A practitioners guide for facilitating people centred adaptation to climate change’ and the associated set of ‘Experiential Learning for Adaptation Facilitation Cards’. Drynet partner from South Africa was part of the consortium responsible for planning, writing and launching this fantastic resource for anyone involved in community-based adaptation work.

The 6th IUCN World Parks Congress (WPC), a once in a decade event was held in Sydney, Australia, from 12 to 19th of November 2014 http://worldparkscongress.org/. Over 6000 participants from over 170 countries attended to the congress to represent governments; NGOs, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, academics, research institutions, international organisations and private sector. The theme of the congress was “Parks, people, planet: inspiring solutions” through eight streams and four cross cutting themes to develop a joint promise for sustainable future of our planet through conservation of nature, its unique cultures and support human livelihoods in the world’s marine and terrestrial protected areas. http://worldparkscongress.org/about/promise_of_sydney_innovative_approaches.html

Land degradation, water deprivation, poverty… The current development model implemented by the major drivers of environmental damage in the region, was examined at an international seminar on the implications of extractivism in Chile and Latin America held at Santiago o…

The publication ‘The strength of lobbying and advocacy’, developed by Drynet member BothENDS in cooperation with partners, is now available in English. This makes the information accessible to everyone who tries to improve the policies of companies, investors and governme…

It is with great emotion and great sadness that we learned of the sudden death of Arba Diallo, mayor of Dori, Burkina Faso and former Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. He was a great African and a citizen of the world, and we shall miss him…